Washington from time to time had great difficulty in keeping his troops from rebelling against the shoddy treatment the army was afforded because of inefficiencies in Congress. On May 25, 1780, a near mutiny occurred in Washington's headquarters over the issue of pay and general discontent. In January 1781 an event known as the "mutiny of the Pennsylvania line" occurred and had to be put down forcefully.
Washington's Newburgh Address. Following the war, with Washington's army still encamped at Newburgh, New York, a group of officers threatened to defy Congress if they did not receive promised pay and reimbursement for food and clothing. Washington got wind of the movement and addressed the officers in person. Having difficulty reading his prepared remarks, Washington fumbled for his spectacles and said, "Gentlemen, I beg your pardon, but I have grown not only gray but blind in the service of my country." Moved by the image of Washington's personal sacrifices, the officers withdrew their protests when Washington promised quick redress for their grievances. Shortly thereafter Congress granted the officers of the army a generous settlement. Washington's actions in deference to Congress are seen as setting a historic precedent for civilian control of the military.
American Diplomacy. American diplomacy during the war was quite effective. France and Spain still hated Great Britain after the Seven Years' War, and American agents Silas Deane, Arthur Lee, and Benjamin Franklin used that fact to good advantage. Franklin was most im-portant—he was well known in Europe, an experienced diplomat, and an excellent propagandist. Through Franklin's efforts, France gave much to the American cause, but got little in return. Having no particular friendly feelings toward America, and certainly not interested in supporting policies that would threaten the French Crown, France acted in its own best interest, as nations generally do. The Americans, of course, never said that George III did not have the right to rule; they merely said he did not have the right to rule them.
The Netherlands took advantage of the war to hijack British trade. John Adams was sent as minister in 1780, where he secured formal recognition, concluded a treaty of amity and commerce, and was able to secure a substantial loan. In all, American diplomats, though having little prior experience (except for Franklin), comported themselves quite favorably in the service of the fledgling nation.
World History
